Deputies Seek Man In Attempted Robbery

Sheriff’s deputies are searching for a man who tried to rob a Spokane Valley woman at gunpoint this week after knocking on her door and offering to sell her discount designer fragrances.

The man talked briefly to the 25-year-old woman before pulling a black, short-barreled handgun from a box. He then ordered the woman into her house in the 1000 block of North Marguerite Road, said Deputy David Reagan, Sheriff’s Department spokesman.

The woman, who was home with her 21-month-old daughter, thwarted Tuesday’s daylight robbery attempt by slamming the front door closed and locking it, Reagan said. Neither the woman nor her daughter was injured.

“At that point in time I didn’t scream, I didn’t do anything,” said the woman, who asked not to be identified.

While the woman called 911, the man fled. A Sheriff’s Department dispatcher stayed on the phone with her until a deputy arrived.

“Afterwards, I though of all the things that could have happened,” said the woman, who praised the Sheriff’s Department’s quick response. “That’s what was scary,” Deputies and a police dog searched the neighborhood, but did not find the suspect.

He was described as white, 25 to 30 years old, 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds. His brown hair was spiked on top and slicked back on the sides, and his face described as thin, unshaven and pockmarked, Reagan said. He was wearing sunglasses, a white T-shirt with a small logo, and faded blue jeans with a chain running from his belt to his wallet.

The victim did not see the suspect leave and did not know if he used a car in his getaway, Reagan said.

Children who go door-to-door selling candy and other solicitors who frequent the neighborhood made the woman comfortable opening her door to strangers, she said. The experience has made her a lot more aware of who is knocking, she said.

“If I open up the door again, I’ll always wonder. I’ll always think,” she said.

, DataTimes